Russia not afraid of NATO and continue its war games intimidation

Russia and Belarus start military exercise near NATO border after drone incursion

Russia and Belarus on Friday began their "Zapad 2025" joint military exercises amid escalating tensions following Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace during an attack on Ukraine earlier this week.

"Zapad" (or West in Russian) drills occur every two years and are perceived as intimidation exercises on NATO's eastern flank.

Russia and its key ally Belarus started major joint military drills on Friday, putting NATO on edge days after Poland accused Moscow of escalating tensions by firing attack drones through its airspace.

NATO's eastern flank members that border Belarus – Poland, Lithuania and Latvia – are on high alert over the drills, which Belarus says will be held near Borisov, a town east of the capital Minsk.

All three countries have ramped up security ahead of the exercises, with Poland ordering the complete closure of its border with Belarus for their duration.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned of "critical days" for his country.

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The last time Russia did this, Ukraine was invaded soon after.